Seven stories in the news today, March 24

Seven stories in the news today, March 24, from The Canadian Press:

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JIAN GHOMESHI EXPECTED TO LEARN FATE TODAY

Jian Ghomeshi is set to learn his fate today as an Ontario judge is expected to deliver a decision in the disgraced broadcaster’s closely watched sexual assault trial. Ghomeshi — the one-time host of CBC Radio’s popular culture show “Q” — pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcoming resistance by choking.

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SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING MANITOBA TODDLER

A search continues for a two-year-old Manitoba boy who was last seen on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Hundreds of people on ATVs, horseback and on foot combed farmland near a rural home in the Austin area where Chase Martens vanished while playing outside. By sunset, the search was turned over to trained personnel. RCMP said it was too early to say whether foul play was involved, although investigators weren’t ruling anything out.

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ALBERTA MAN ARRESTED IN DOUBLE SLAYING

RCMP have charged an Alberta man with the murders of two aboriginal women who were found dead in 2007 and 2009. Both Jeannette Chief and Violet Heathen were from the Onion Lake reserve. Mounties arrested a 59-year-old man Tuesday night in Lloydminster and will provide more details today at a news conference in Edmonton.

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GARTH BROOKS CONCERT BUMPS REFUGEES FROM HOTELS

An influx of Garth Brooks fans to Hamilton is temporarily pushing some Syrian refugee families out. Various media reports say more than 200 Syrian refugees were bumped from their accommodations at downtown hotels to make way for thousands of Brooks fans who already booked rooms. The country music legend is playing a series of concerts in the city Thursday through Sunday night.

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SEVERAL AGENCIES USE NEW ANTI-TERROR LAW

At least four federal agencies have used controversial information-sharing powers in Canada’s new anti-terrorism law, internal government documents show. A section of the omnibus security bill known as C-51 expands the exchange of federally held information about activity that “undermines the security of Canada.”

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SCIENTISTS TO OTTAWA: HURRY UP FIX TO FISHERIES ACT

Prominent scientists and environmental groups are urging the federal Liberals to hurry up and repair what they see as damage to fisheries done by the previous government. “We request that previous habitat protections be immediately reinstated in the Fisheries Act,” says a letter signed by 47 individuals and organizations.

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ROB FORD FUNERAL TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK

The body of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford will lie in repose for two days at city hall before he is laid to rest next week — a rare honour the city says has not been granted to a former mayor in decades. Ford’s family says mourners will be able to pay their respects to the late councillor on Monday and Tuesday. The funeral will be held Wednesday at St. James Cathedral.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Statistics Canada will release the employment insurance numbers for January.

— Sentencing in Halifax for Andre Noel Denny, who has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in death of gay rights activist Raymond Taavel.

— Jim Balsillie, formerly of Research in Motion, appears before the Senate international trade committee.